A Shameful Secret (7 page)

“I am sure that she will talk to you, sir. The foundry is in debt and must be sold. Her husband had been struggling to make it pay for some time. I imagine that is why he was persuaded to produce the faulty cannon, for not even his work was that shoddy as a rule.”

“He would have been vulnerable to a little bribery?” Paul smiled at him. “Yes, I believe you are right. I am indebted to you, Mr. Hanwell. You have done better than you imagine.”

Whoever had murdered Mrs Stern’s husband must be seriously rattled to stoop to such desperate measures. A desperate man always made mistakes, and when he did, Paul would be waiting.

Hester saw that Geraldine was distressed when they met again the next morning. She soon discovered the reason when her friend gave her a letter to read. Scanning it, she could not doubt that someone was determined to exert pressure on the girl.

“Are you sure you do not wish to show this to your mama?”

“She would send for Papa and he has been unwell,” Geraldine said looking pale and upset. “Either that or she would say that we must go home at once. We are here for another week and it would spoil things for everyone else. Lucinda could not stay if we left for her mother entrusted her to our care.”

“Then shall we speak to Josh Farnham?” Hester said, wishing that Captain Crawford would return. “Or would you like me to speak to him? I mean Viscount Mortimer. I could make it clear that you wish for nothing to do with him.”

“Oh no, I could not ask it of you,” Geraldine said. “You are my friend, and I think he might try to harm you.”

“Then you must continue to ignore him and hope that Captain Crawford returns soon. I am sure that your cousin will know what to do.” She smiled reassuringly, though she was anxious for her friend because Mortimer might well choose Captain Crawford’s absence as the time to strike.

Hester decided that she would stay close to her friend at all times. Strangely enough, she had lost her own fear of Richard Mortimer through a desire to protect the young girl. He should not harm Geraldine if she could prevent it.

“Where are we going tomorrow?” she asked hoping to change the subject and lift Geraldine’s mood of apprehension.

“Lucinda wants to visit a ruined abbey she has heard of,” Geraldine said and summoned a smile. “And I think it will be quite amusing for it is said to be haunted, though I dare say we shall not see the ghost. If a party of us could go together, we might eat our luncheon al fresco. Mama says she shall come with us if we wish and perhaps Countess Danbury would care to accompany us?”

“Yes, I am sure Charlotte would be delighted,” Hester agreed at once. “We are invited to Lady Leominster’s card party this evening, but I think you do not go?”

“No, we have an invitation to Mrs. Beswick’s soiree. She is Mama’s very dear friend and we always attend her evenings.”

“Then we shall meet again tomorrow.”

Hester was thoughtful as she parted company with the younger girl. It distressed her to think that Richard Mortimer was hounding Geraldine. Even had he wished to marry her, he would make her unhappy for she needed someone kind and gentle to look after her. Yet, Hester could do little if Geraldine would not consent to speak of the situation to her mama or brother. However, she would remain watchful and do what she could to protect her friend if the need arose.

That afternoon she sat at home quietly with Charlotte and read one of the library books she had borrowed for unusually they had no engagements.

The evening passed swiftly for Hester. Soon after they arrived, Mr. Henry Blackwater sauntered into the salon. He greeted his hostess and a few friends and then gravitated to Hester side, begging her to be his partner at whisk. She accepted with pleasure and was kept entertained for the next few hours by his droll remarks and impudent looks. He had, he told her, taken a grand tour of Europe, and his descriptions of Italy were particularly interesting.

“We play well together,” he told Hester when everyone abandoned the tables in favor of supper. “You are an intelligent player, Miss Weston. It is as I expected for everything about you is quite perfect.”

Hester blushed at the extravagant compliment. “No, no, sir, you do me too much honor. I assure you, I am very ordinary.”

“Not in my eyes. You must know that I find you delightful company. Had I not known you would be here this evening I dare say I should not have bothered to attend, for they play for small stakes and I might find more exciting play elsewhere. But no card game would be as enjoyable as the evening I have spent in your company, Miss Weston.”

Hester did not know what to say. She was relieved when Charlotte came up to them but then a little dismayed as her cousin invited him to their outing the next morning. For some reason she could not quite determine, she did not want him to become an intimate friend.

“It will be a little dull for you, sir—but we need some more gentlemen in the party, for otherwise we shall be almost all ladies.”

“I shall be delighted to accompany you,” Henry said and kissed his fingers to her. “I cannot think I shall be dull in your company, ma’am—or Miss Weston’s.”

The look that passed between them and Charlotte's expression of satisfaction warned Hester that she imagined her scheme to find her a husband might be succeeding.  It was not the case, however. Much as she enjoyed Henry Blackwater’s company, the idea that he might be forming affection for her was disconcerting. She was here to bear her cousin company and not to receive an offer of marriage. Her background would not endear her to Henry’s aunt if it was discovered, nor did she feel that she could confess her secret to him.

However, she concealed her dismay, for gentlemen like Henry often paid compliments to young ladies, and on reflection, she could not think that he was serious after such a short acquaintance.

After supper, convention obliged them to take different partners for the second round of cards, and Hester could only smile at Henry across the room as she and Charlotte left the salon just before eleven o’clock. Some of the guests continued to play until late into the night, but, as Charlotte said, “We shall not want to be late up in the morning or we shall be tired before the day has begun, Hester dearest. We shall enjoy our outing more if we get a good night’s sleep.”

Hester smiled and agreed, though privately she thought that she might not sleep as easily as her cousin that night.

In the end Hester slept well enough for she decided that it would be foolish to worry over something that might never happen. Mr. Blackwater was always teasing her. No doubt, his remarks had meant little but light flirtation, and even if he should ask leave to court her, Mrs. Weston would refuse her permission. Indeed, should he speak to her of his hopes, Hester would refuse as gently as she could.

That morning she dressed in a pale grey carriage gown with a pelisse of dark blue, a chip straw bonnet tied with ribbons to match her pelisse and black kid boots. Hester’s boots had only small heels and were intended for walking once they arrived at the ruins. She carried a small grey silk parasol and a little black-beaded reticule. When she met the others, she saw that Lucinda had chosen pretty grey leather shoes that matched her striped silk gown but were impractical for walking far. However, because Geraldine had also chosen sensible boots, the two of them would be able to explore quite happily.

The party set out in a little convoy of carriages, and the servants who would serve luncheon and look after them followed in the coach behind. Lucinda, Geraldine and Hester were in one open carriage with Mr. Farnham, while the older ladies travelled in a second; the other gentlemen accompanied the little cavalcade on horseback, riding on ahead sometimes and then returning to wave or mention some place of interest.

An hour before noon, they reached the ruins, feeling very warm. Charlotte and Lady Holbeach settled themselves on chairs the servants had set out for them in the shade of some trees while the younger members of the party set out to explore the exciting ruins.

The old stone walls had crumbled almost to the ground in places, but in others, a wall remained and there was a good part of the chapel left standing, but much overgrown with brambles. However, there was a brooding air about the chapel ruins that made Lucinda shiver and declare that they might see the spectre of the displaced monks at any time.

The party set out to explore, but Lucinda soon complained that the ground was too uneven and lagged behind with Mr. Farnham, perhaps to seize the chance for a secret kiss, Hester thought, smiling inwardly. The couple was so obviously happy and so much in love. However, she and Geraldine continued to explore the rest of the ruins with Mr. Blackwater and Mr. Jones as their escorts.

The countryside was very pretty, with lots of ancient trees, green meadows where sheep and horses grazed, and a tiny stream that meandered over a rocky bed. Hester felt a sense of peace as she wandered in the ancient chapel, thinking of the monks who had once worked and lived here thanking God for all they had.

Lucinda had soon had enough of exploring and called to them that it was time for lunch. Obediently, they all returned to where the servants had set up little tables and chairs so that they could have their alfresco meal in comfort.

It was a delicious meal consisting of cold chicken, ham, pasties, cheese and bread, together with a selection of pickles and preserves, and washed down with a light sparkling wine. After their meal, the older ladies declared that they meant to rest and gossip to their hearts’ content.

However, the young members of the party had no such desires. Lucinda suggested that they should play a game of cricket, which the gentlemen greeted with enthusiasm. Geraldine and Hester joined in, but Geraldine was out first ball and wandered off in the direction of the ruins once more.

Hester took her turn at the bat and sent her ball deliberately high and short so Lucinda could catch it easily. She laughingly asked to be excused and, picking up her parasol, set off after Geraldine, who had disappeared from sight. She was not sure what had prompted her to follow, but as she entered the ruins, she blessed the intuition that had made her act as she had.

Geraldine was struggling in the unwelcome embrace of a ruffian. Hester was shocked and did not hesitate; rushing in with no thought of her own safety, she wielded her parasol to good effect, beating the man about his head and face as hard as she could.

“Let her go!” she demanded fiercely. “How dare you attack a lady, you wicked man?”

Her efforts with the parasol added to Geraldine’s own frantic struggle, causing the man to let go of his prey and to put a hand to his face to where Hester had drawn blood. He scowled at her but said nothing, backing away and then turning to make off in the opposite direction of which their friends could be heard playing cricket.

“Are you all right?” Hester asked, looking at her anxiously. “What was he trying to do to you?”

“I think he meant to abduct me,” Geraldine replied, looking pale and shaken. “He told me that he had a message from my brother and that I was to go with him at once. I was immediately suspicious, for I know that William would never send someone like that to fetch me. When I refused, that man tried to take hold of me. I think that if you had not come, he might have managed to drag me off.”

“But how could he have hoped to abduct you in the middle of the day?” And how had his master known that they would be here at this particular time? Perhaps more importantly—who was his master? Could it have been Viscount Mortimer?

“He said he had a carriage waiting and would take me to William, who was in some trouble and needed my help. I think whoever planned this knows how close I am to Will and thought I would go willingly.”

“Whoever sent him knew of our plans to come here today,” Hester said with a frown. “Yet who could have known?”

“He
was at the soirée last evening,” Geraldine said. “I saw him watching us when Lucinda was speaking of wanting to visit the ruins. I think he must have planned this . . .” She broke off shuddering.

“You mean Richard Mortimer?” Hester felt chilled as her friend nodded, confirming her own fears. “Yes, I believe you may well be right. It is the kind of thing he might do on the spur of the moment.” She felt anxious for her friend. “We must tell someone. This is too serious to ignore.”

“Please do not,” Geraldine begged looking at her pleadingly. “I shall be more careful in future. Nothing very much happened and we cannot know for certain who sent that man here. I may be wrong to think that it was Viscount Mortimer. As the heir to an earldom it is unlikely that he would risk his good name in such a cause—and yet, I cannot think of anyone else who would send me such wicked letters.”

“I am almost certain that he must be the culprit,” Hester said. “A title does not change a man’s character.” She sighed for discretion prevented from telling her friend the very thing that would convince her. “Oh, I do wish Captain Crawford were here. He would know what to do.”

“He will return soon,” Geraldine assured her. “Do not worry, Hester. I am not harmed, and I know Mama would instantly return home if she knew what had happened this afternoon.”

Hester was uneasy in her mind as they returned to their friends. She would have preferred to speak to Lady Holbeach on the matter but could not betray Geraldine’s confidence. She could only hope that Captain Crawford would return to Bath very soon.